Very Rev. Jamin S. David, J.C.L., V.G. | Diocese of Baton Rouge

More than 1,000 people gathered at St. George Church in Baton Rouge on March 13 to witness a historic tour of a relic of St. Jude the Apostle in the United States. The relic, which has not left Italy since 335 AD, was brought to the United States by Father Carlos Martins, an ecclesiastically appointed curate of relics and director of Treasures of the Church, a Catholic evangelization ministry.

Father Martins expressed his goal of allowing as many people as possible in the country to experience the relic, stating, "When I was commissioned to oversee this tour of the relic, I wanted to give as many people as possible in the country an opportunity to experience this. My goal is to hit most of the states in the country."

Visitors from different parishes came with their intentions and prayers, seeking solace and miracles from St. Jude. Sharon Poche, a member of St. Joseph Church, highlighted the significance of St. Jude as the patron of last resort, stating, "Our prayers can get to him. There is a reason that God chose him for that role in life, and I respect that."

Shirley Dauzat, accompanied by her granddaughter Katy Butler, came to pray for Katy's son, Elliot, who is battling infectious meningitis. Irene Kotval, a member of Most Blessed Church, presented prayer petitions for friends suffering from cancer, including a pregnant woman fighting cancer. Ruth Hanson, a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, shared her miraculous experience with St. Jude, describing him as "the apostle of the impossible" after witnessing her daughter's recovery from a congenital heart defect.

The visit to St. George Church allowed individuals to establish a personal connection with St. Jude, with many expressing their hopes, fears, and gratitude through their prayers and interactions with the relic. The event served as a beacon of faith and healing for those seeking divine intervention and miracles in their lives.